Microsoft Backs Down on Controversial Xbox One Online Requirements, Used Game Disc Trading
Quick, someone set the Complain-a-tron to 'Price cut!' This thing actually works!!
Microsoft faced a lot of backlash from fans when it revealed that the Xbox One would need to 'check in' with Microsoft every 24 hours via the Internet. While the company denied that there was an 'always connected' requirement, this meant that gamers without internet access realistically wouldn't be able to play games on the console. When asked what gamers without internet access should do, Microsoft said they should stick with the Xbox 360. Needless to say, that statement didn't go down to well. Now it seems the company is willing to play ball.
Speaking via a blog post entitled 'Your Feedback Matters to Us,' Microsoft's Don Mattrick revealed that the comapny has done a 180 on a number of sticking points for users.
"Since unveiling our plans for Xbox One, my team and I have heard directly from many of you, read your comments and listened to your feedback," he wrote. "I would like to take the opportunity today to thank you for your assistance in helping us to reshape the future of Xbox One," he continued adding that the company has decided to make a few changes based on the feedback it has received.
First off, you won't need an internet connection to play games offline. After a one-time system set-up with a new Xbox One, you can play any disc based game without ever connecting online again. This doesn't really help those that don't have any internet at all, but it's something. There will also be no more limitations when it comes to trading, reselling or sharing games. Mattrick says trading, lending, reselling, gifting, and renting disc-based games will work the same way as it does on the Xbox 360. Redmond is also doing away with regional restrictions, which means you can play your games on any Xbox console.
This should go a long way towards undoing the damage caused by the initial negative reaction to the console but is it enough to make people change their minds?
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vmem LOL, well that was quicker than I thought...Reply
Windows 8.1's giving us Start Button back too; and they're now giving away the touch type cover for Surface Tablets for free... what's up with MS lately? they seem to just make bad calls and then back down on them -
bigshootr8 Still the damage has been done with Sony being more affordable m$ already screwed themselves over at E3Reply
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voiidwulf This sucks. I was thoroughly enjoying MSFT's suffering.Reply
Now there will probably be some of my friends who get Ones instead of PS4. Before it was 100% Sony. -
littleleo Well its a step in the right direction, perhaps there is intelligent life in MS after all.Reply -
cepheid While I applaud MS removing their head from their ass there's still the discrepancy between hardware specs:Reply
XB1 = 5GB 2133MHz DDR3 effective RAM
PS4 = 7GB 5500MHz GDDR5 effective RAM
XB1 = 768 GPU cores
PS4 = 1,152 GPU cores
XB1 = 1.34 TFLOPS
PS4 = 1.84 TFLOPS
XB1 = Requires proprietary HDD (Much like Apple this means they can up the price for no reason)
PS4 = Removable and easily replaceable non-proprietary drive